OUTLINE: This is a randomized, open label, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to Karnofsky performance status (50-60% vs 70-100%), number of metastatic organs involved (1 vs 2 or more), lactic dehydrogenase (no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) vs greater than 1.5 times ULN), and prior fluorouracil chemotherapy (adjuvant vs first-line treatment for metastatic disease). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.